Well, the dog days of summer have definitely arrived here at the CowChows. It's been so hot here lately that the dogs are issuing I.O.U.s for chasing cars. I can certainly understand their reasoning. I've been staying in out of the heat as much as possible myself. But, the great thing about hot summer days is warm summer nights.

I went out the other night just to take in some fresh air. It was well after dark; the heat of the day had dissipated and the warm moist night air was inviting and comforting. I stood in the front yard breathing deeply, stretching tired muscles, and surveying my domain. The sounds of night surrounded me and I wondered at the cacophony of life within the shadows. The evening breeze carried the scents of wet woods and primrose. I peered up through the leafy limbs of the old elm tree to the infinity of stars against the ink black sky. I wanted to take it all in so I moved out of the yard and down the driveway, and as I came to the end of the drive and out from under the old elm the view of the sky opened up before me and it was as if I stood at the very moment when time began.

After a while my neck began to ache from gazing skyward, and so I lay down on the still warm asphalt. I crossed my arms over my chest and felt the stresses and anxieties of the day melt away.

I'm not sure how long I lay there. I may have dozed off for a time for suddenly I was startled awake by a shrill, small voice yelling, "Daddy! Call 911! It's Tim and I think he's dead!"

I went so immediately from such a state of calm to a state of shock that I sat bolt upright. The little blond haired girl from next door was standing ten feet away, and when I sat up she must have thought I was rising from the dead. Her scream shattered the night and lights began coming on in houses along the street. Dogs began barking in protest and screen doors slammed as people ran out to see what was going on. The little blond haired girl paused only long enough to inhale and then screamed again. She seemed frozen in place and she wouldn't stop screaming.

I started to get up to show her that I was okay, but the driveway is fairly steep and I became overbalanced and, arms flailing I tumbled down the drive towards her. I guess she thought I was a zombie because she suddenly found her feet and went screaming down the street.

I tumbled into the street and eventually managed to stagger upright. I looked around. People were standing in their yards, and in the street, and on their porches, but none were approaching. I turned and went inside; what else could I do?

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

Now, on with the news........................

I've made some changes to the Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com. Now you can find Stated meetings as well as Special Communications and events. You can look forward in time as far as you want to, and you can even look back in time to see when an event took place. Please take a look and let me know what you think. In case the link doesn't work here's the address:
http://www.masonsmart.com/masonic-events.html

Monday, July 19, 2010: United Lodge No. 5 will meet in Stated Communication at 6:00 PM, and will have two candidates for the Entered Apprentice degree and one candidate for the sublime degree of Master Mason. All assistance in the conferral of these degrees would be greatly appreciated.

Monday, July 19, 2010: Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Three duly elected candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of the Craft. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM and there will be nourishment following the work.

Monday, July 19, 2010: Monett Lodge No. 129, located at 501 13th Street in Monett, MO, will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM. All Master Masons are invited to attend.

Tuesday, July 20: Billings Lodge No. 379 will receive Daniel Matthew Myers as a candidate for the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The doors will open for refreshments at 6:00 p.m. with the degree work beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 20:Friend Lodge No. 352 in Ozark, MO will meet in Special Communication at 7:00 PM. Brother John Jenanian will be presented as a candidate for the degree of Fellow Craft. All Fellow Craft Masons and Master Masons are encouraged to attend. Dinner will be ready at 6:30.